Sources for finding stories: The main source is any public library. In it is a large treasure trove of collections of folklore (398 in the Dewey System, usually in the Juvenile department), and many classic stories have been woven by masters. There are many children's writers that have been largely forgotten. I hope to profile some of these on this page. Other story tellers may also provide a source of inspiration, though it is best to go to their sources, rather than copy their tales. Your own memories and personal anecdotes are a rich source for creating stories as well.

Then the story should be studied and connected to its roots, whether an author, a culture or a folk tradition. In selecting stories to learn and tell, look for tales that attract or speak to you in some way. Gradually the story takes on a personal meanings within. Then the story teller can begin to tell it as his or her own.

Then the "listening" process begins. If a story orginated in a time or culture, try to see it in its context. If it is the creation of a particular writer, get aquainted with that person and why the story was written. For example, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess) wrote Horton Hears the Who in response to his observations of the Japanese people during the occupation after WWII. "A person's a person, no matter how small" has a historical context and message. Folklore and fairy tales, even Mother Goose rhymes have roots and origins. Putting in the effort to "listen" will make a story much more meaningful.

Definitons:Traditional Tales
and Folk Lore consist of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales, stories, tall tales, and customs included in the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. Oral Tradition is the cultural material transmitted orally from one generation to another. (Wikipedia links)

Mythology - Myths are the body of stories which a people or group uses to explain nature, and their history, and customs. They include: Creation Myths and Myths of Origin relating to how things have come to be.

Legends are folk tales or epic accounts of events or people presented as "historically grounded," but often embroidered or exaggerating details with elements of magic or popular belief.

Fables are succinct fictional stories, in prose or verse, featuring animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects or forces of nature which are given human qualities such as verbal communication, illustrating moral lessons which may at the end with a pithy maxim.

Trickster Tales "A trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who exhibits a great degree of intellect or secret knowledge and uses it to play tricks or otherwise disobey normal rules and conventional behaviour." Tricksters are often small creatures that must rely on their "smarts" to deal with stronger and more powerful beings, sometimes to their own good, and sometimes not.

Fairy Tale Fairy tales are stories that range from those originating in folk lore to more modern stories defined as literary fairy tales. Fairy Tales are a type of short story that typically features European folkloric fantasy characters and usually magic or enchantments. Fairy tales may be distinguished from other folk narratives such as legends (which generally involve belief in the veracity of the events described) and explicitly moral tales, including beast fables. - List of Fairy Tales

Tall Tales have "unbelievable elements", related as if they were true and factual. Tall tales are often told in a way that makes the narrator seem to have been a part of the story. They are usually humorous or good-natured, often pushing their credibility to the edge.

Connections to On Line Libraries

Source Etiquette

Stories are to share and tell. While we encourage the art of sharing stories, we want to encourage respect in our community. You deserve respect, respect others.

A storyteller's personal, family, and original stories are her/his copyrighted property. It is unethical and illegal to tell another person's original, personal, and/or family stories without the permission of the author/storyteller.

Folklore and folktales are owned by the public, but a specific version told by an individual teller or found in a collection is the author's or teller's copyrighted property. If you like a folktale a storyteller has told, ask that teller for a reference or where it can be found. Research the story by finding other versions, and then tell it your way.

Published literary tales and poetry are copyrighted material. They may be told at informal story swaps, but when you tell another's story in a paid professional setting, you need to research copyright law.

When telling anywhere, it is common courtesy to credit the source of your story.

If you hear anyone breaking these rules of etiquette, it is your responsibility to discuss the rules with them and to tell the storyteller whose tales they are telling.

Pass stories, share stories, and encourage respect within the storytelling community.
Please feel free to copy this etiquette statement and pass it out or read it at storytelling events.